AREMA 2013 Scholarship Program announced

The American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA) Educational Foundation said Tuesday it is now accepting applications for the 2013 Scholarship Program. The deadline for applications is March 8, 2013.

AREMA said the Educational Foundation provides scholarships to engineering student who are specializing in the railway industry and supports other educational and training endeavors that help to ensure the future of the profession. General criteria for all scholarship applicants include having an interest in railway engineering, maintaining a minimum GPA of 2.0 and being available for interview by the AREMA Scholarship Committee.

The 2013 application form applies to all scholarships offered by AREMA. By completion of the application, the Scholarship Review Committee will determine which scholarship(s) the candidate qualifies for. Students may apply online at www.aremafoundation.org.

For a complete listing of 2013 scholarships, please visit www.aremafoundation.org.

AREMA also is sponsoring a design competition for students of architecture or building sciences as a means to introduce students to the professional opportunities in the railway and rail transit industry. Sponsored by AREMA Committee 6-Buildings and Support Facilities, the design problem features the conceptual development of a Commuter Rail Maintenance Workshop. The competition is open to individual students working on their first professional degree in architecture or building sciences. The AREMA Educational Foundation will award a $2,000 scholarship to the first place winner and a $1,000 scholarship to the second place winner.

"AREMA has been very proactive in reaching out to college students with an interest in railroading," said AREMA CEO Dr. Charles Emely. "We are actively establishing student chapters at U.S. and Canadian universities and in 2012, we awarded 34 undergraduate scholarships. This competition is our newest approach to attract highly motivated students to the dynamic career opportunities in the railroad industry."

Faculty members wishing to utilize the AREMA design problem in their spring design studios should contact AREMA at archcompetition@arema.org for a copy of the design problem and competition rules. Students are now able to download the problem and entry information from the website noted below. Deadline for entries is May 1, 2013. Winners will be announced in June, and select submissions will be placed on display at the AREMA 2013 Annual Conference in Indianapolis, set for Sept. 29-Oct. 3.